INDIA – An Indian tourism minister has called on the international exhibition industry to help him campaign for industry recognition at the highest levels of the Indian Government.
India’s union minister of tourism Subodh Kant Sahai challenged international organisers to work with the Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) to provide him with quantifiable information on the benefits of optimising the Indian market for overseas exhibition business.
Recognising the industry’s potential for Indian industry himself, Sahai said that as well as investment, it is crucial the industry convinces the Government of the implications for employment and municipal regeneration.
“If you want to get Government support you must socially, politically, justify your sector and then we will succeed,” he told attendees at the recent IEIA 2011 Open Seminar. “The Government always has differing priorities, but I have a vision to take care of this matter.
“I would request that you, too, go on the campaign road - to teach our politicians something as well as the bureaucrats who can realise your goals. The task falls on us to give better job opportunities to our younger generations; the Government must recognise this sector as a job provider.”
With a convincing case, he claimed, the Indian Government would consider making the changes necessary for the Indian exhibition industry’s growth.
India has a population of 1.2bn and an annual rate of economic growth of 8.9 per cent, making it one of the most lucrative of the world’s growing economies.
“As a minister, I really want to join you,” added Sahai. “I don’t want to remain in the corporate side. If India is to behave or lead in the future, we have to cover these parts that are left out.
“Our Prime Minister doesn’t only know politics, he knows development.”
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